Stackable glass arrangement

ABSTRACT

The present invention discloses an arrangement or mechanism for stacking multiple glasses, which is particularly simple and easy to transport, with reduced costs. The glasses are configured to be stacked in a manner such that one glass is above the other glass. The stacking mechanism may be implemented by using a plurality of glasses comprising at least a first glass and a second glass and a lid comprising a top portion and a bottom portion divided by a divider. Here, the bottom portion of the lid fits on a top portion of the first glass. Further, a bottom portion of the second glass fits on the top portion of the lid.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application generally relates to a glass, and moreparticularly to an arrangement or mechanism for stacking multipleglasses.

BACKGROUND

In general, a tableware made of glass consists, among other things, ofvarious styles of drinking glasses, and also vases, carafes, bowls,dishes, cups, and other items. Currently these glass items are composedof a single piece. Following technical difficulties in production someof these items may also be formed of more than one part cemented orwelded together in an inseparable manner. This prevalently concernsdrinking glasses provided with bases, with or without a stem,prevalently produced in blown glass. One major disadvantage is that suchglasses are not readily stackable. While recent advancements in glasstechnology have eliminated stems from glasses, making them at leastpartially nestable, there remains a great need for beverage vessels thatare stackable and easily transportable. In conjunction withstackability, it may be desirable to provide a pre-measured amount offluid in a portion of such stackable drinkware. While pre-filled(presented to a consumer in a filled, sealed state) beverage containershave been utilized for decades, there remains room for improvementincluding increased stackability. The object of the present invention isto provide an arrangement or mechanism for stacking multiple glasses.

SUMMARY

It will be understood that this disclosure is not limited to theparticular apparatus described herein, as there can be multiple possibleembodiments of the present disclosure which are not expresslyillustrated in the present disclosure. It is also to be understood thatthe terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describingthe particular versions or embodiments only and is not intended to limitthe scope of the present disclosure.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide an arrangement ormechanism for stacking multiple glasses, which is particularly simpleand easy to transport, with reduced costs. The glasses are configured tobe stacked in a manner such that one glass is above the other glass.

The stacking mechanism may be implemented by using a plurality ofglasses comprising at least a first glass and a second glass and a lidcomprising a top portion and a bottom portion divided by a divider.Here, the bottom portion of the lid fits on a top portion of the firstglass. Further, a bottom portion of the second glass fits on the topportion of the lid.

The glasses are further provided with a first seal for covering the topportion of the first glass and a second seal for covering the topportion of the second glass, wherein the first and second seals are usedto maintain freshness of a sealed beverage in the first and secondglasses, respectively.

The stacked glasses are further provided with a covering for coveringthe stacked or enclosed glasses to obtain a packaging for the same. Thecovering includes a zipper mechanism that can be pulled down by a userto open the packaged and stacked glasses.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the detailed description below, in light of theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of thepresent invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method ofoperation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, willbe better understood from the following drawings in which a presentlypreferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way ofvarious examples. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawingsare for the purpose of illustration and description only and are notintended as a definition of the limits of the invention. Embodiments ofthis invention will now be described by way of example in associationwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A is a diagram that illustrates stacking of multiple glasses,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a diagram that illustrates the stacked glasses enclosed in acovering, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a diagram that illustrates a cross-sectional view of thestacked glasses, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2B is a diagram that illustrates a cross sectional view of a lidfor stacking the multiple glasses, according to another exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram that illustrates a inside view of a glass, accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C diagrams that illustrate different designs of a lidthat can be used for stacking the multiple glasses, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram that illustrates a cross-sectional view of anarrangement or mechanism for using a lid for stacking the multipleglasses, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;and

FIG. 6 is a diagram that illustrates a cross-sectional view of anarrangement or mechanism for using another lid for stacking the multipleglasses, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe further understood that the detailed description of exemplaryembodiments is intended for illustration purposes only and is,therefore, not intended to necessarily limit the scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used in the specification and claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”and “the” may also include plural references. For example, the term “anarticle” may include a plurality of articles. Those with ordinary skillin the art will appreciate that the elements in the figures areillustrated for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn toscale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in thefigures may be exaggerated, relative to other elements, in order toimprove the understanding of the present invention. There may beadditional components described in the foregoing application that arenot depicted on one of the described drawings. In the event such acomponent is described, but not depicted in a drawing, the absence ofsuch a drawing should not be considered as an omission of such designfrom the specification.

Before describing the present invention in detail, it should be observedthat the present invention utilizes a combination of components, whichconstitutes glasses and an arrangement or mechanism for stackingmultiple glasses. Accordingly, the components have been represented,showing only specific details that are pertinent for an understanding ofthe present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with detailsthat will be readily apparent to those with ordinary skill in the arthaving the benefit of the description herein. As required, detailedembodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, itis to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplaryof the present invention, which can be embodied in various forms.Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed hereinare not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for theclaims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the artto variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriatelydetailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are notintended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandabledescription of the present invention.

References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “another embodiment”,“yet another embodiment”, “one example”, “an example”, “anotherexample”, “yet another example”, and so on, indicate that theembodiment(s) or example(s) so described may include a particularfeature, structure, characteristic, property, element, or limitation,but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includes thatparticular feature, structure, characteristic, property, element orlimitation. Furthermore, repeated use of the phrase “in an embodiment”does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

The words “comprising”, “having”, “containing”, and “including”, andother forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and beopen ended in that an item or items following any one of these words isnot meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items or meant tobe limited to only the listed item or items.

Unless stated otherwise, terms such as “first” and “second” are used toarbitrarily distinguish between the elements or entities. Thus, theseterms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or otherprioritization of such elements or priorities. While various exemplaryembodiments of the disclosed apparatuses have been described below, itshould be understood that they have been presented for purposes ofexample only, and not limitations. It is not exhaustive and does notlimit the present invention to the precise form disclosed. Modificationsand variations are possible in light of the below teachings or may beacquired from practicing of the present invention, without departingfrom the breadth or scope.

The modular drinking glass of the present invention will now bedescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings, which should beregarded as merely illustrative without restricting the scope and ambitof the present invention. Embodiments of the present invention will nowbe described with reference to FIGS. 1-6.

FIG. 1A is a diagram that illustrates stacking of multiple glasses,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Eachglass (such as shown by reference numeral 102 a) includes a plurality ofportions such as a glass portion 102 a and a base 104 a of the glass 102a. Further, a top of the glass 102 a may be temporarily sealed with afreshness seal 106 a that is generally used to maintain the freshness ofthe sealed beverage in the glass 102 a Similarly, a top of another glass102 b may be temporarily sealed with another freshness seal 106 b thatis generally used to maintain the freshness of the sealed beverage inthe glass 102 b. Similarly, a top of another glass 102 s may betemporarily sealed with another freshness seal 106 c that is generallyused to maintain the freshness of the sealed beverage in the glass 102c.

In an embodiment, the glass portion 102 a, 102 b, or 102 c may be avertical bowl that is formed in one piece of a suitable material, whichmay be a transparent material such as, but not limited to, glass,plastic, or crystal. Further, an opening of the glass portion 102 a, 102b, or 102 c (that is sealed with the freshness seal 106 a, 106 b, or 106c) may be defined by a circular rim. Each glass portion, the rim, theinterior, and the opening are all axially symmetric about a centralvertical axis of the glass. The interior of the glass cup or bowl may beconfigured to hold a liquid beverage such as, but is not limited to,wine, water, juice, gin, or whiskey.

In an embodiment, the plurality of glasses (for example, as shown byreference numerals 102 a, 102 b, and 102 c) may be stacked such that oneglass is on top of another glass. The stacking of the multiple glassesmay be performed by using at least one stacking device such as a lid 108a or 108 b between two glasses. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, thelid 108 a is placed on top of the glass 102 a such that a top portion ofthe glass 102 a is inserted into a lower portion or opening of the lid108 a. Thereafter, another glass 102 b is placed on top of the lid 108 asuch that a bottom portion of the glass 102 b is inserted into an upperportion or opening of the lid 108 a. Further, another lid 108 b isplaced on top of the glass 102 b such that a top portion of the glass102 b is inserted into a lower portion or opening of the lid 108 b.Thereafter, another glass 102 c is placed on top of the lid 108 b suchthat a bottom portion of the glass 102 c is inserted into an upperportion or opening of the lid 108 b. similarly, “n” number of glasses(for example, three glasses as shown by reference numerals 102 a, 102 b,and 102 c) may be stacked with each other by means of “n−1” lids (forexample, two lids as shown by reference numerals 108 a and 108 b). Insome embodiments, another similar lid may be utilized to cover a topportion of the topmost glass among the stacked glasses 100 withoutlimiting the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a diagram that illustrates the stacked glasses 100 enclosedin a covering 110, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. The covering 110 may be made up of a plastic or paper orcloth or any other material known in the art. The covering 110 mayinclude a zipper kind of mechanism (as shown by 112) that can be pulleddown by a user to open the packaged stacked glasses 100. In anembodiment, the stacked glasses 100 may be enclosed using the removablecovering 110 while each glass is sold prefilled with some drinks. Insome examples, the removable covering 110 may be a covering that extendsfrom top to bottom of the stacked glasses 100. In such a case, thezipper may be pulled down from the top to the bottom of the stackedglasses 100 in order to access the prefilled drinks. In anotherexamples, the removable covering 110 may be a covering that extends fromtop to half of the stacked glasses 100. In such a case, the zipper maybe pulled down from the top to the half of the stacked glasses 100 inorder to access the prefilled drinks.

FIG. 2A is a diagram that illustrates a cross-sectional view of thestacked glasses 100, according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown, a top of the glass 102 a has been temporarilysealed with the freshness seal 106 a and a top of another glass 102 bhas been temporarily sealed with another freshness seal 106 b. Further,the plurality of glasses (for example, as shown by reference numerals102 a and 102 b) have been stacked such that one glass is on top ofanother glass. The stacking of the multiple glasses has been performedby using at least a stacking device such as the lid 108 a between thetwo glasses. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, the lid 108 a is placedon top of the glass 102 a such that a top portion of the glass 102 a isinserted into a lower portion or opening of the lid 108 a. Thereafter,another glass 102 b is placed on top of the lid 108 a such that a bottomportion of the glass 102 b is inserted into an upper portion or openingof the lid 108 a.

FIG. 2B is a diagram that illustrates cross sectional view of the lid108 a for stacking the multiple glasses 100, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. The cross-sectional view of the lid108 a shows inner architecture or design of the lid 108 a. The lid 108 aincludes a divider 114 that divides an upper portion and a lower portionof the lid 108 a symmetrically. Also, the divider 114 acts as a stopperwhen two glasses are stacked using the lid 108 a such that the lid 108 adoes not pass through the bottom glass 102 a and the top glass 102 bdoes not pass through the lid 108 a. The upper portion includes a firstupper groove 116 a and a second upper groove 118 a and the lower portionincludes a first lower groove 116 b and a second lower groove 118 b. Thefirst lower groove 116 b and the second lower groove 118 b are used toengage and hold the top portion of the glass 102 a. The first uppergroove 116 a and the second lower groove 118 a are used to engage andhold the bottom portion of the glass 102 b. These grooves are circularin design and are formed along the inner circumference of each lid.

FIG. 3 is a diagram that illustrates an inside view of the glass 102 a,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The glass102 a is provided with a flat or curved bottom from inside. Further, anedge of the top opening of the glass 102 a is molded outside such that alid (as shown in FIG. 2B) fits conveniently from its top into the glass102 a.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C diagrams that illustrate different designs of a lidthat can be used for stacking the multiple glasses, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. For example, as shown inFIG. 4A, the lid 120 includes a divider 120 b that is like a horizontalplate sealing top and bottom portions completely and ensuring there inno see through from any of the top and bottom portions. This divider 120b acts a balancing plate while stacking the glasses. For example, abottom portion of the divider 120 b sits on top of the bottom glass anda bottom of the top glass sits on an upper portion of the divider 120 b.The lid 120 further includes an extended portion 120 a that is generallyused for holding the lid 120 and also for opening or closing the lid120. The lid design 120 may be used for stacking glasses that areprefilled with any beverages. In another example, as shown in FIGS. 4Band 4C, another lid design 122 has been shown. Here, the lid 122includes a top portion 122 a and a bottom portion 122 b. The upperportion 122 a is provided with an extended portion 122 d that isgenerally used for holding the lid 122 and also for opening or closingthe lid 122. The bottom portion is provided with threads (say, femalethreads) that is used for tightening the lid 122 with a glass such asthe glass 102 a that also has threads (say, male threads) from insidearound a top portion of the glass 102 a such that the male and femalethreads locks with each other when fit together. The lid 122 furtherincludes a divider 122 c, either an edge one or a plate one, thatsupports stacking of another glass from its top. Such types of lid 122is generally used when the glasses are sold empty. A specific use casescenario has been shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a diagram that illustrates a cross-sectional view of anarrangement or mechanism for using the lid 122 for stacking the multipleglasses 102 a and 102 b, according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention. As shown, the lid 112 has been put on over the bottomglass 102 a such that the female threads in the bottom portion 122 b andthe male threads in the interior of the glass 102 a engage with eachother and locks the lid 122 with the glass 102 a. Further, another glass102 b sits on the divider 122 c of the lid 122 to complete the stackingof the glasses. Further, an extrusion component 122 d of the lid 122engages with the bottom portion of the glass 102 a such that the glass102 a does not slide off after stacking. The extrusion component 122 dhas a curved like design that fits against the curved part of the bottomportion of the glass 102 a.

FIG. 6 is a diagram that illustrates a cross-sectional view of anarrangement or mechanism for using another lid 124 for stacking themultiple glasses 102 a and 102 b, according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention. This lid design 124 is generally used withempty glasses and is mostly same as discussed above in conjunction withthe lid 122. However, this lid 124 includes another component in theform of an extrusion (as shown by reference numeral 124 a). Theextrusion component 124 a has a curved like design that fits against thecurved part (i.e., an edge) of the top portion of the glass 102 a. Theextrusion component 124 a of the lid 124 engages with the edge of theglass 102 a such that the glass 102 a does not slide off after stacking.

Techniques consistent with the disclosure provide, among other features,an arrangement or mechanism for stacking multiple glasses. While variousexemplary embodiments of the disclosed glass have been described above,it should be understood that they have been presented for purposes ofexample only, and not limitations. It is not exhaustive and does notlimit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Modifications andvariations are possible in light of the above teachings or may beacquired from practicing of the disclosure, without departing from thebreadth or scope.

While various embodiments of the disclosure have been illustrated anddescribed, it will be clear that the disclosure is not limited to theseembodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations,substitutions, and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in theart, without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, asdescribed in the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A stacking mechanism, comprising: a plurality ofglasses comprising at least a first glass and a second glass, a lidcomprising a top portion and a bottom portion divided by a divider,wherein the bottom portion of the lid fits on a top portion of the firstglass, and a bottom portion of the second glass fits on the top portionof the lid.
 2. The stacking mechanism of claim 1, further comprising afirst seal for covering the top portion of the first glass and a secondseal for covering the top portion of the second glass, wherein the firstand second seals are used to maintain freshness of a sealed beverage inthe first and second glasses, respectively.
 3. The stacking mechanism ofclaim 1, wherein at least a glass portion of each glass is made up of atransparent material such as a glass, plastic, or crystal.
 4. Thestacking mechanism of claim 1, wherein the lid is provided with anextended portion that is used by a user to operate the lid duringconfiguring the stacking of the multiple glasses.
 5. The stackingmechanism of claim 1, further comprising a covering for covering thestacked glasses to obtain a sealed packaging of the stacked glasses. 6.The stacking mechanism of claim 5, wherein the covering includes azipper mechanism that can be pulled down by a user to open the sealedpackaging of the stacked glasses.
 7. The stacking mechanism of claim 1,wherein the divider is configured to divide an upper portion and a lowerportion of the lid symmetrically, wherein the divider acts as a stopperwhen two glasses are stacked using the lid such that the lid does notpass through the first glass and the second glass does not pass throughthe lid.
 8. The stacking mechanism of claim 7, wherein the upper portionincludes a first upper groove and a second upper groove and the lowerportion includes a first lower groove and a second lower groove, andwherein the first lower groove and the second lower groove are used toengage and hold the top portion of the first glass, and the first uppergroove and the second lower groove are used to engage and hold thebottom portion of the second glass.
 9. The stacking mechanism of claim1, wherein the divider is configured like a horizontal plate sealing topand bottom portions completely and ensuring there in no see through fromany of the top and bottom portions.
 10. The stacking mechanism of claim9, wherein the bottom portion of the divider sits on top of the firstglass and a bottom of the second glass sits on an upper portion of thedivider.